Paul Perkins appreciative of Ben McAdoo’s criticism as he aims to be Giants’ starting running back

Paul Perkins, with his sights set on being the Giants' No. 1 running back, has high expectations for himself. (Bill Kostroun/AP)

Paul Perkins appreciated Ben McAdoo's public criticism of his longest run in Friday's preseason opener. Perkins wants to be the Giants' No. 1 running back and understands that means being evaluated like one.

"Of course he'll be extra critical of me, because he expects a lot," Perkins told the Daily News Monday. "I don't take it lightly."

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Not to mention Perkins said McAdoo was right: It was unacceptable for Perkins to be tackled for a seven-yard gain by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Robert Golden rather than making him miss and gaining a first down.

"Whenever it's 1-on-1, I have to make the play," Perkins said. "That's what this team is made of: 1-on-1 we're better than the other team."

McAdoo stressed Monday "by no means have I lost confidence in Paul Perkins. I have a lot of trust and confidence in him." And while Perkins, 22, was only a fifth-round Giants draft pick out of UCLA one year ago, he said he never saw coming into camp as a lead back as being far-fetched. "If you made it this far, you'll be your biggest critic before you become the starter," Perkins said. "(Being the No. 1 back) was always the goal, and even last year I always prepared every practice like I was the starter."

Perkins oddly has dropped several passes through the spring into training camp, but the shifty back said Monday he's "not concerned" and he'll just "continue to work" on his entire game. Perkins' broke onto the scene as a rookie last season by taking a screen pass 67 yards against at Minnesota in Week 4 and leapfrogged Rashad Jennings as McAdoo's top rushing option late in the season. He finished with 112 carries for 456 yards (4.1) and 15 receptions for 162 yards and did not lose a fumble. But he did not score and gained just 30 yards on 10 carries in the team's Wild Card playoff loss in Green Bay.

Ben McAdoo praised Eli Apple on Monday. (Seth Wenig/AP)

THE OTHER ELI

A day after McAdoo said his starting quarterback seemed rusty, the coach was asked if "Eli" was less rusty.

"Eli Apple had a great day today," McAdoo said to laughs from reporters. "You saw him on the kickoff coverage drill; he was making a lot of plays. He had some good stair-steps and good physical play today. He had a nice day."

ROSTER MOVES

The Giants signed wide receiver Andrew Turzilli and linebacker Chris Casher while waiving injured wide receiver Kevin Norwood (hip) and tight end Colin Thompson (appendectomy). Turzilli (6-4, 197), a Rutgers product, played in three games for the Tennessee Titans in 2015. The rookie Casher (6-4, 260), out of Florida State and Faulkner University (Ala.), was with the Oakland Raiders from May 8 to Aug. 4.

INJURY NOTES

DT Corbin Bryant left Monday's practice on a cart with an elbow injury … LB Mark Herzlich (stinger) did not practice after returning on Sunday; LB Keenan Robinson (concussion) did more work; DT Robert Thomas was back in full … RB Shaun Draughn (ankle, PUP), WR Tavarres King (ankle), S Ryan Murphy (lower body), WR Kevin Snead (lower body) and S Duke Ihenaco (hamstring) all worked out on the side. LB J.T. Thomas (knee) remains on PUP.